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Degree

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Gerontology, 2011.

Abstract

Older adults aging in rural areas face challenges accessing both informal assistance from family, friends, and others and paid formal assistance from a variety of professional agencies. Despite these challenges, many rural elders have been able to construct networks that assist them with the daily struggles of growing older in rural communities. An exploratory descriptive study was conducted in three rural western North Carolina counties with 16 rural elders, eight support network members and staff from six home-and community-based service (HCBS) provider agencies. Through one-on-one interviews with rural elders and members of their support networks, this study investigates how rural elders create and sustain support networks as they develop physical challenges that limit their ability to care for themselves. In addition, data were collected from interviews with staff from six HCBS providers in the same geographic area to explore if and/or how integration between rural elders’ informal supports and formal support systems occurred and the strategies and challenges of this integration. Findings from this research increase understanding of the dynamic nature of rural elder support networks and the advantages and challenges to family and agency staff collaboration. This dissertation increases our understanding of these support networks and builds a knowledge base that will better inform HCBS providers about how to work more collaboratively with individuals providing informal support.

Subject Headings

Aging; Gerontology; Health Care; Health Care Management; Social Work; Sociology

Keywords

rural; rural aging; aging; older adults; elderly; elders; home and community based services; HCBS; support networks; caregiving; formal supports; informal supports

Committee / Advisors

Robert Applebaum, PhD (Committee Chair)
Elise Radina, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Suzanne Kunkel, PhD (Committee Member)
Jean Lynch, PhD (Committee Member)
Jennifer Bulanda, PhD (Committee Member)

Pages

114p.

Document number: miami1302028258
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1302028258

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